PLDT Uses Ciena Optical Tech to Expand ADC Backhaul

PLDT deploys Ciena’s 6500 optical platform, powered by WaveLogic 5 Extreme, to enhance the domestic backhaul that connects the Asia Direct Cable (ADC) system to local users and data centres throughout the Philippines.

The rollout supports higher-capacity and lower-latency transport of international traffic from the ADC landing station into PLDT’s backbone, improving national reach for cloud providers and large enterprises operating in the country.

It expands its transmission infrastructure to handle growing traffic from global cloud platforms and enhances network resilience for business and hyperscale applications.

PLDT’s deployment addresses operational efficiency and network reliability as international bandwidth entering the country continues to rise.

Blums Pineda, Senior Vice President and Head of Enterprise Business Group, PLDT and Smart, says: “PLDT is committed to strengthening the country’s digital backbone by ensuring that the international capacity carried by the ADC system translates into world-class connectivity for users nationwide.

"With the support of Ciena’s optical technology, we can provide faster, more resilient and more secure services, powering the Philippines’ digital economy from individual users to enterprises and hyperscalers.”

Ciena WaveLogic drives national fibre backbone

Ciena’s WaveLogic 5 Extreme (WL5e) coherent optical technology enables PLDT to carry multi-terabit traffic, maintaining low latency and supporting higher bandwidth across its fibre and cellular backbone.

The 6500 platform, combined with the Navigator Network Control Suite (Navigator NCS), simplifies network planning, provisioning and performance assurance, accelerating operational impact in both data centre and telco environments.

Matt Vesperman, Vice President for Asia Pacific at Ciena, says: “The Philippines is a key destination for many global cloud providers and enterprises seeking to expand their presence in Asia.

"Ciena’s market-leading optical technology provides a seamless connectivity link to advance international trade and digital transformation within the Philippines.”

By integrating Ciena’s software-driven suite, PLDT enhances centralised management across core and edge network segments, helping ensure the consistency that cloud providers and hyperscalers require.

PLDT links enterprise and AI-ready data centres

PLDT’s Enterprise division continues to scale digital infrastructure, supporting secure connectivity for business customers across the Philippines.

Through ADC backhaul investments, PLDT connects international traffic to flagship facilities, including the VITRO Santa Rosa (VSR) data centre, operated by VITRO Inc.

The centre is positioned as the Philippines’ first AI-ready facility, linking to other data centres using Ciena’s Data Centre Interconnect (DCI) solutions.

VITRO’s DCI, powered by Ciena, provides secure, high-bandwidth links for enterprises to connect racks across multiple locations and optimise disaster recovery strategies.

The ADC system’s connection to VSR ensures enterprises, hyperscalers and carriers can rely on robust, direct connectivity, supporting future operational and interconnection needs in a cloud-driven market.

Blums highlights the network’s role in supporting digital transformation across user segments, saying: “With the support of Ciena’s optical technology, we can provide faster, more resilient and more secure services, powering the Philippines’ digital economy from individual users to enterprises and hyperscalers.”